KitchenAid Mixer Bowls: Mystery Uncovered

KitchenAid mixer bowls are one of the most important features when it comes to purchasing one of those seductive mixers. It’s so easy to be spellbound by these beauties and forget all about your own practical baking needs.

But capacity dictates the amount you can mix in one go. Whatever your needs may be, KitchenAid has got you covered. Their stand mixers come in various models, offering a range of bowl sizes starting from 3.5 quarts’ capacity up to 8 quarts.

And let’s not forget the new kid in town – all of 3 quarts – that is proving perfect for smaller tasks like whipping up icing for a cake, or a little meringue.

One more thing. Which model you opt for will determine whether or not you have the option to choose between stainless steel or glass. Either way, replacements can be purchased separately to give you more flexibility and increase efficiency.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer Bowl Sizes

If you’re on the hunt for a new stand mixer, keep mixing capacity in mind, as it will vary based on which Kitchen Aid mixer bowl comes with the mixer you select. Here are the various KitchenAid stand mixers available, listed in descending bowl size and capacity:

8-quart mixers were created with devoted bakers in mind. Featuring a 16-cup flour power rating, they let you easily mix a whopping 14 dozen cookies or knead dough for 8 1⁄4 loaves of bread in a single batch.

The 7-quart mixer features a 16-cup flour power rating and allows you to mix a whopping 14 dozen cookies and knead over 8 pounds of dough.

Pro Line KSM7586P

6-quart mixer series all feature a 14-cup flour power rating and allow you to bake 8 loaves of bread, 13 dozen cookies, or mash up to 8 pounds of potatoes at once.

Professional 600 Series KP26M1X
Professional 6 KL26M1X
Professional 600 Design Series with Glass Bowl KF26M22
Professional 6500 Design Series with Glass Bowl KSM6521X
Professional 6000 HD with Tulip Bowl KSM6573C

5-quart stand mixers feature a 9-cup flour power rating and let you mix 4 loaves of bread, 9 dozen cookies, or mash up to 7 pounds of potatoes in one go.

KitchenAid Mixing Bowls – Glass

In March of 2009, the KitchenAid glass bowl was introduced in order to help celebrate KitchenAid’s 90th Anniversary. The 5-quart Artisan Series mixer comes with the standard stainless steel bowl, while the Artisan Design series’ is made of glass with pouring spout and a wide handle for comfortable gripping.

A tight-sealing lid comes in handy if you wish to store batter in the refrigerator for later use or for dust-free accessory storage on your countertop. Microwave- and freezer-safe, it can even be cleaned in your dishwasher.

Another advantage over stainless steel: being transparent, measuring lines were incorporated into the design, so most of the time you won’t need measuring cups – less mess to clean up! 🙂

This little wonder comes equipped for battle with a handle, pouring spout, measuring lines and tight-sealing, dishwasher-safe lid. PLus it also multitasks and can safely go into the microwave or the freezer. Prepping, mixing, heating, storing and even serving can all be accomplished from one single sturdy vessel… and it’s gorgeous too! Fits all tilt-head models with the exception of the Accolade.

5-Quart Glass Bowl

The above glass bowl can also be purchased separately and will fit all 5-qt tilt-head KitchenAid Artisan mixer models – KSM150PS, KSM152PS and KSM155GB (except the Accolade) – as well as the 4.5-qt. Note that this bowl is not designed for bowl-lift mixers.

If you crave one of these beauties, you will need to decide which of three finishes appeals the most: clear, frosted or hammered as shown above.

KitchenAid 6 Qt Glass Bowl

The KitchenAid Professional 600 Design Series (KF26M22CA) and 6500 Design Series (KSM6521XCA) bowl-lift mixers both sport a 6-quart glass bowl.

This 6-quart glass beauty can also be purchased as part of a set (KSMF6GB) which includes an F-Series coated flat beater, a coated PowerKnead spiral dough hook, a 6-wire whip plus a lid.

Note that the glass version was designed exclusively for use with the KV25, KP26, KSM652, and KSM758 KitchenAid bowl-lift Stand Mixers.

KitchenAid 5-Qt Tilt-Head Ceramic Bowls

KitchenAid has done it again! Pair one of these ceramic beauties with the iconic Artisan stand mixer, and you’ll likely never look back. Granted, it is a little on the heavy side, but it does make its standard stainless steel alternative look so blah in comparison… Plus bowls with handles make life so much easier!

Made of non-porous ceramic to increase resistance to chipping, cracking, it is built to last. Eventual natural crazing will not allow for absorption of oils, foods, flavors or odors. An easy-pour spout and a comfortable handle were integrated into the design in order to facilitate the transfer of ingredients.

Being dishwasher-safe, it is not only easy to clean, but also freezer- and microwave-safe, as well as oven-safe up to 475 degrees. In other words, keep using the same bowl from start to finish. What’s there not to like?

All ceramic bowls fit all of the 4.5- and 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer models, but keep in mind that a pouring shield will simply not fit. This popular KSMCB5MY ceramic bowl comes in five scrumptious colors, including White Chocolate (!) and a decadent Majestic Yellow which reminds me of rich clotted cream.

KitchenAid ceramic bowls also feature the textured KSMCB5TLW with a distinctive embossed diamond design. But buyers beware: a few disgruntled customers have complained that it scratches easily.

The KitchenAid Precise Heat Mixing Bowl

Perfect for tempering chocolate, this double-wall insulated work bowl can be used to make fondue, yogurt, soup, melt marshmallow, proof bread dough, and more.

Its Precision Temperature Technology lets you select any temperature from 70°-220°F (21°-104°C) in two degree increments.

The Digital Display with Timer shows temperature and timer for up to 10 hours.

Use the convenient Easy View Glass Lid to monitor progress while in process.

It is also easy to clean: the removable cooking bowl and lid are dishwasher safe, while the flex edge beater, wire whip and dough hook can be washed by hand in hot, soapy water. Just wipe the base clean with a cloth.

Both models of the Precise Heat mixing bowl can be used as a standalone unit and include a Flex Edge Beater, a Wire Whip and a Dough Hook:

The KSM1CBT Precise Heat accessory for tilt-head stand mixers can be used with the KitchenAid Artisan, Metallic Series and Design Series tilt-head stand mixers.

KitchenAid Replacement Bowls

If you’re serious about baking, an extra KitchenAid replacement bowl (or two or three) will make things easier and provide extra flexibility. But this begs the question: are KitchenAid mixer bowls interchangeable? Not necessarily so – you just need to make sure you first check compatibility with your stand mixer model.

4.5-Quart

3-Quart

Add flexibility with this smaller bowl, the perfect tool for small tasks such as whipping up egg whites or cream or mixing small batches of icing, batter, filling, or dough. The versatile combo-whip combines the functions of a wire whip and a flat beater and can whip cream or knead dough as needed.

Accessories

Last but not least, mixer bowl accessories have been added to the mix and were created to help make home cooks’ lives a little easier.

Water Jacket (K5AWJ)

Designed exclusively for 5-quart bowl-lift design stand mixers, this water jacket will only fit older mixers with a bowl-lift mechanism that features two little nubs on the outside of the lift mechanism arms – not the newer models! Built-in hooks hold the bowl securely to the mixing bowl and prevent any accidental movement. All you need to do is place this unit beneath a standard mixing bowl and lock it in using the built-in hooks.

Fill with ice when mixing whipped cream, making homemade ice cream or other cold confections. Fill with hot water to maintain the ideal temperature when creaming mashed potatoes or making gravies and sauces.

KitchenAid Bowl Covers

Use to store your mixer accessories out of sight, or to cover leftover cookie batter, mashed potatoes, or cool-rise yeast doughs for chilling in the fridge. They are dishwasher safe, but only on the top rack.

Each pack includes two dishwasher-safe (top-rack) polyethylene covers:

KitchenAid Pouring Shield

A dishwasher-safe pouring shield will help prevent splattering while adding ingredients.

Not all shields will fit all bowls. Designed to fit only the original bowl included with the mixer, these shields will not fit accessory or glass bowls. It is recommended that you check the bottom of your mixer for the correct model number as other sources could be misleading.

.Tempered glass means that it is freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe – just make sure you remove the thread ring before putting in the microwave;
.Glass is less affected by temperature than metal which can facilitate some tasks (creaming butter, whipping cream, etc.)
.Transparency makes it easy to check quantities from moulded measurements (standard and metric) on the side as well as achieved consistency from any angle;
.An easy-hold handle helps balance the weight;
.A moulded pouring spout makes it easy to pour without spilling;
.A silicone lid (either included or purchased separately depending on model) can be placed on the bowl to proof dough. It also keep the bowl clean when not in use.

Why is there residue left in my stainless steel bowl even after washing?

This is an occasional complaint a few customers have expressed. According to KitchenAid, the mechanical polishing process used in order to make the stainless steel shiny sometimes leaves residue behind. Though apparently not harmful, who wants this in their food?

. Spread a small amount of olive oil on the inside of the bowl
. Let it sit for several minutes
. Empty and wash with HOT water and a good detergent

OR

. Use either a mixture of lemon juice and salt or a baking soda paste to clean the bowl

An Amazon customer suggested using Bon Ami or Barkeep’s Friend to remove this residual buffing compound.

Who would have thought that a simple Kitchen Aid mixer bowl could be at once so useful and so complicated to figure out? Whether you are looking for a smashing glass or a practical stainless steel bowl for your mixer, or maybe an extra ceramic one for added versatility. Now go have fun and cook up a storm!

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Mealtimes became annoying interruptions as visions of cooking lessons in Italy or the South of France gave way to an obsession with my computer. That’s when I put ‘my little chefs’ to work, drastically cutting down on prep time without sacrificing quality. Et voilà – problem solved! 😉

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